Winds Rise in Tiandu

In the residence of Lu Shuangxing in Zhenyou City.

A loud "smack" rang out in the study as Lu Shuangxing slammed a stack of letters on the table, a cold glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice.

"So these guys actually dared to interfere at this time, and even came to me for help. A bunch of profit-driven scoundrels."

The pursuit of profit is human nature and is not terrible. What is terrible is ignorance, short-sightedness, and only caring about immediate gains, without even seeing the bottomless abyss beneath one's feet.

Some things in this world cannot be obtained simply by being bold; often, the boldest person is the first to die.

What's even more terrifying is that some of them are actually members of my Lu Family. Have they lost their minds?

Lu Shuangxing then picked out many letters from his hand, divided them into two stacks, waved his hand, and a middle-aged man with dark blue hands jumped down from the roof beam. After handing him the two stacks of letters, Lu Shuangxing spoke with a hint of coldness.

"Those guys writing letters on the left, expose all their deeds, send people to arrest them, behead them and display their heads in public. A bunch of brainless idiots, didn't you see that no one dared to touch them? Now, if anyone in You Province dares to interfere in the affairs of Hanshan Prefecture, they dare to show their faces."

Wanting a registrar's post or Judicial Commissioner? They really dare to dream! Have they ever considered that they might die? After so many years in office, they still can't see the bigger picture. I don't need these fools under my command.

These few on the right, send the message back to the family, tell them to deal with them according to the family rules, and also give them a warning: if there is a next time, I will personally kill them. No one from the Lu Family is allowed to participate in the affairs of Hanshan Prefecture."

After the middle-aged man left, Lu Shuangxing looked out the window and sighed.

"Hey! You're asking for it, you can't blame anyone else."

In recent days, under the cleanup efforts of Zhu Wushi and others, many forces in Hanshan Prefecture have disappeared, and many official positions have become vacant.

Now that Zhou He, the new prefect of Hanshan Prefecture, has taken office, the three main officials of the prefecture—the registrar, the Judicial Commissioner, and the chief magistrate—are all vacant. Many of the city lords and other officials are acting, and their positions have not yet been filled. Such a large piece of meat is naturally coveted by various parties.

Many people came to him, the prefect of You Province, seeking his help in making arrangements.

What a bunch of idiots! If he could arrange things, positions like the registrar wouldn't have been something you had to pull strings for; Lu Shuangxing would have already made them.

Even the Lu Family didn't dare to make a move.

Didn't they see the Qian Family lose their position as commanders of Hanshan Prefecture and dare not utter a sound?

These guys dare to even have such thoughts?

As the sweep of Hanshan Prefecture came to an end, the wind in Tiandu City did indeed grow stronger and stronger, like a snowball rolling bigger and bigger, and like the eye of the storm growing wider and wider, it had become a gale, accompanied by a sky full of white snow covering the entire city.

Inside the Prince of Qin's Manor, Chu Xuanao gazed at the snow outside the window, warming himself with a handful of Shuangxue in his arms. Beside him Xiao Dezi cautiously reported to Chu Xuanao the current rumors circulating in the city.

"Your Highness, the news about Hanshan Prefecture is all over the city now, with mixed reports! There are both good and bad things being said."

Some say that His Your Highness is a pillar of Dagan state, dedicated to the country and its people.

Some say that His Your Highness is cruel and tyrannical, and indiscriminately kills civilians.

Some say that His Your Highness eliminated the Wang Family, swept away the fiefdoms, and brought peace to the region, showing the demeanor of a hegemon.

Some say that His Your Highness is neither virtuous nor talented, and will poison the region with his tea in the future.

And, and more.

Chu Xuanao's calm voice rang out, uttering a single word. "Speak."

Xiao Dezi stammered out a sentence.

"Some even say that His Your Highness is eliminating dissidents to prepare for the struggle for the throne, or that these are just a cover, that His Your Highness harbors ambitions, and that these actions are merely a cover for secretly seizing power in You Province, and that His Your Highness intends to ascend to the throne."

Hearing this, Chu Xuanao turned his head and looked at Xiao Dezi, asking a question.

"Have Yidao and Haitang returned?"

Xiao Dezi quickly replied.

"Your Highness, the two gentlemen went out this morning and have not yet returned."

Chu Xuanao nodded, turned to look at the snow outside the window, and slowly said.

"No rush, these matters will be resolved at tomorrow's morning court session."

These past Tiandu City has been filled with these rumors and turmoil. I never expected that the tricks used to mess with his fourth brother would be used on him so quickly.

In the past few days, Haitang and Yidao have been running around for this matter, spreading some rumors that are favorable to him and dealing with some people who are spreading bad things about him.

Wang Gang has also arrested quite a few people at the Town Martial Division, but the rumors are still circulating, and so far, the rumors are evenly split, with some good and some bad.

He didn't need to guess who spread these things. The sweep of Hanshan Prefecture was bound to cause a stir. There was a backlash from some people in You Province, and the people behind them, a small group with vested interests, had touched their cake and eat it too.

But that's already Chu Xuanao's territory. If he makes a move, so be it!

However, these things should stop after tomorrow. His Imperial Father has already sent him a message that he must attend the grand court assembly tomorrow, and it's obvious that it's about this matter.

Although the outcome is already decided, I'm sure I'll still have to spend a lot of time and effort tomorrow.

Yes, the outcome is already decided. This afternoon, when Eunuch Li came to deliver a message, he also brought another message from his Imperial Father.

"You picked a good opportunity."

This single sentence, tinged with praise, already revealed his Imperial Father's attitude.

Thinking of this, Chu Xuanao looked at the snowflakes outside the courtyard and said calmly.

"What a nuisance! The Lunar Houtian is just around the corner, and this whole thing ruins my mood."

The Houtian New Year is just two days away. When I wake up, the new year will have arrived, and new lotteries and summons will come. It's up to people to disturb my mood and slander me at this time. It's just ruining my luck.

After a night of snow, the city was filled with wind and snow. Chu Xuanao, still half asleep, was woken up by Qiuyue. He had to attend the morning court session. Hmm, that was troublesome. He even had to wear formal attire.

Chu Xuanao got up early, circulated his Yang Shen Gong, letting his Qi flow through all his meridians. Small waves of heat immediately rose from his body. Judging from his cultivation aura, he was at the peak of the Innate Realm. This was just Yuan Tiangang's disguise.

Chu Xuanao's true cultivation level had reached the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm, and he didn't need to practice regularly; he could simply circulate his Qi through his meridians whenever he had free time.

With the Sarira and Yuan Tiangang's supreme yang power, he could reach the extraordinary realm in a year at most, and not in a forced way. With these two powers, Chu Xuanao's body would be nourished in every way, and his foundation would be extremely solid.

After circulating his Qi throughout his body, Chu Xuanao opened his eyes. His eyes were no longer blurry, but sharp. The circulation of Qi had awakened his meridians and strengthened his bones, thus dispelling his drowsiness.

After taking a bath and getting dressed, Chu Xuanao, wearing a formal suit, strode out with his head held high.

Accompanied by Xiao Dezi, they were driven towards the Imperial Palace by Ghost Servant.

When Chu Xuanao arrived at the Golden Palace Hall, all the officials had already gathered. Upon seeing the arrival of this Prince of Qin, many people looked at him with strange eyes, each secretly plotting something.

Chu Xuanao's expression remained calm and composed, yet he exuded an aura of dominance and fearlessness, as if he had everything under control. He strode confidently toward the very front of the main hall.

I had just stood in my place and hadn't even had a chance to tease my fourth brother, whom I hadn't seen in so long, when I heard Eunuch Li's voice.

"Welcome, Your Imperial Presence."

All the officials bowed their heads, Chu Xuanao also bowed to greet them.

May Your Majesty Live Ten Thousand Years!

Chu Tianxiong's majestic voice resounded throughout the hall.

"All of you, rise."